Exploring upward and downward interaction comparisons: The impact of event valence, response valence, and time

The present research incorporates constructs from social comparison theory, interdependence theory, and self-evaluation theory, yielding a two-component model of relationship comparison. Whereas previous research in the social comparison literature has not delineated the distinction between event-based and response-based comparison, the present model suggests that one's comparison goal should determine whether one benefits from event-based and response-based comparison information. The results of two experiments suggest that the ability to enhance and the ability to improve one's relationship are differentially influenced by event information and response information. Consistent with expectations, Experiment 1 revealed that event comparison influences enhancement processes, in that participants exhibited greater satisfaction with their relationships following downward event comparison than upward event comparison. Also consistent with expectations, Experiment 1 revealed that response comparison influences improvement processes, in that participants exhibited greater optimism regarding the future of their relationships following upward response comparison than unstated or downward response comparison. In Experiment 2, event valence and response valence each interacted with time in influencing tendencies toward enhancement and improvement. Specifically, the effects of event comparison and response comparison on enhancement and improvement that were observed in Experiment 1 were replicated in Experiment 2 at Time 1, for measures obtained immediately following provision of comparison information; these effects were nonsignificant for delayed measures of enhancement and improvement obtained at Time 2. Thus, the time factor appears to be important, in that the effects of comparison information are most notable immediately following provision of such information. Moreover, behavioral data of the sort obtained in Experiment 2---data regarding performance level and reaction time during the course of interaction---may shed light on the strategies that individuals develop to effectively traverse complex dyadic interactions.